Sacramento daily record-union., 1887-08-13
ON THE TRAIL.
The Robbers' Roost" Found in an
Arizona Mountain Cave.


Arizona Mountain Cave.
Copyright, 1857, by The California Associated Press
TUCSON, August 12th.-E. w. Smith and
deputy Kresham returned at noon to-day
from pursuing the railroad robbers. From
Smith the following particulars of the
chase were learned: On taking I'D the trail
at the scene of the outrage the posse fol-
lowed it across the Cienega and to a knoll
about quarter of a mile away. On the
opposite bank the Mexican money was
found and the robbers stopped and deliber-
ated, and then took up their line of march
for Mountain Springs. A portion of their
route to that place lay directly along the
old Tucson and Fort Bowie road At the
Mountain Springs House, which is at pres
ent unoccupied, they appear to have rested.
havlng done so they turned into canyon
that led directly into the mountains.
TEE ROBBERS RENDEZVOUS.
They followed well-beaten trai, I'D the
canyon Tor about two miles, and then sud-
denly turning to the left, assembled the
mountains to their rendezvous, which
proved TO be cave in the side OF the hill.
At this camp was found cans of lunch
tongue, jellies, ground coffee (of the latter
there are six or seven unopened caus).
various cooking utensils, two blankets. and
PAIR OF blue overalls. The cave is situ-
ated at the foot of rocky bluff. and is
screened from observation by protecting
ledge OF rock. The entrance to the cave is
small, and cannot be seen till within about
thirty feet of it. Inside it is quite roomy.
and makes in fact
A YERITABLE ROBBERS DEN.
After thoroughly satisfying themselves
that the robbers had vacated the place a
careful examination for tracks was made
and some were finally discovered. These
led directly south to the first railroad
bridge west of Pantano, and had evidently
oeen made by the robbers when they went
10 TOD the tram Near the bridge they had
cooked and eaten their supper. and from
thence went to the fill and waited the COM
ing OF the train. From all previous ac
counts, 1t was supposed the robbers were
four in number, but to the amazement of
everyone the train appears to have been
Saken in;by
TWO MEN ONLY.
This was proven to the evident satisfaction
of Sheriff Shibell and posse. The foot
prints from the cave to the railroad and
drom railroad to the cave were made bv
two men only. Once or twice Smith saws
they appeared to have doubled, but at no
time did they strive to hide their tracks.
The posse, after satisfying themselves
that the tracks down were made when the
robbers went to the train, decided to go
back to the cave. For this purpose they
divided INTO two parties, to be better able
to encIrcle the mountain for trails. When
III the mountains Kresham's horse became
unmanageble and bucked him off. Kres.
ham was thrown over an embankment and
was bruised up considerably, but no bones
were broken. The horse also went down
the -embankment, and il was at first
Tfhnf1Cht ho xpoc lri1lal h,,tl l.
right. The two squads of the Sberiff-s
party met at the Mountain Springs House
and as 1t was impossible for them to trail
The robbers over the rocks, il was decided
TO return to Pantano.
LESsHARRIs AND. HIS, INDIAN rBAr1ERs
This morning they were Joined bv De.
tective Len Harris, Mike Nugent and two
Indian trailers from Yuma The posse
accompanied by the new trailers. started
again for the cave, and nothing since has
been heard from them The detachment
of soldiers sent from Fort. Lowell, under
Lieutenant Harris, .camped at Mountain
sSprlng last night and would Join Shibeli
on the hunt this morning.
Ii there are more robbers implicated in
the robbery they joined the two from The
cave at the railroad, and likewise separateS
from them at the same point, which the
posse think not probable
pRz- STOLEN BOOTY.
IL has not been yet definitely ascertained
how much money the robbers got, but GER
ialuly there was considerable railroad
money on board. There were also many
vouchers, but these would be useless to the
robbers. Wells, Fargo & Co. & route agent
thinks that the less of money would not
exceed that taken at the previous robbery.
after the amount of the vouchers had been
deducted. Others again, put tAe loss AT
Between $4,000 and $4,000.
sz9Ew VERY SLOW ABOUT 81.
The robbers were one hour and ten min
Ites at the train, frem the time they sig
naied the train to etop till they had got
through robbiDg it. This hardly seems
possible, bat nevertheless it is q fae,. The
la-ge man who stood near the forward end
OF the sleeper and gave directions, called
the smaller man Pistol" and several
times advised him to hurry up. Heswore
at Pistol, and told him to come,vhen
he was called. The robbers took especial
delight in cslling for. conductor Gillespie.
he ie reported to have said that no retber
could hold up his train. This boast ti,ev
were undoubtedly familiar with. Tkey
evidently had no desire to iniure him. so
long as he kept out of Their way, and Us
he susessded in5oing.